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Monitoring our Blood Work while on HCV Therapies

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Myers Results of Blood work done while on Rebetron (Interferon with Ribavarin).
  Protocol When to Administer Blood Test While on PegInron\Ribavirin

 

   

 

Protocol When to Administer Blood Test While on PegInron\Ribavirin

 

This chart was mailed to me by our friend Dan. 

 PCR given on this chart should be standard procedure at  baseline , 4 weeks, 12 weeks,  24 weeks, 36 weeks, 48 weeks,  (f/u) follow up at 4 weeks,  12 weeks, 24 weeks and one year.

Please see our  Labs section of our site for normal white counts, and other blood tests.
   
 

      * Within 3 Months          **Within 1 Year

     ***CirrhoticsOnly

 

 
 

Week

CBC

CMP

ALT

TRIG

CHOL

AMYLASE

LIPASE

TSH

AFP

PT

GENO

TYPE

PCR

HCV

QUANT

HBsAB

HBcAB

HBsAG

HAVB

ANA

IRON

FERRITIN

TIBC

MD

visits

Baseline

 X

  X

  X

  X

   X**

 X*

X***

X*

  X

  X*

  X

  X

X**

X**

X*

1

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

OPT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   X

 

 

 

 

 

6

 X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 X

8

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 X 

  X

  X

  X

 

 X

 

 

 

   X

 

 

 

 

 

16

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 X

  X

  X

  X

 

 X

  X

 

 

   X

 

 

 X

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 X

32

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 X

  X

  X

  X

 

 X

 X

 

 

   X

 

 

 

 

 

40

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48

 X

  X

  X

 

   X

 X

  X

 

 

   X

 

 

 X

 

 

F/U WK 4

 X

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  X

 

 

 

 

 X

F/U WK 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  X

 

 

 

 

 

F/U WK 24

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  X

 

 

 

 

 

Q 1 YR

 

  X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  X

 

 

 

 

 X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   
   

 

  
   
 

CBC(Complete Blood Count)

NORMAL RANGE

See specific tests RBC HGB WBC and Platelets

DEFINITION

A CBC tests for all the blood cells, including red blood cells and the different types of white blood cells.

(CMP)= Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

NAME

ALT/SGPT (Alanine Aminotransferase)

NORMAL RANGE

7-56 U/L

DEFINITION

This is an enzyme made in liver cells. If liver cells are damaged or die, ALT leaks out into the bloodstream.

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

This is the most important test to follow in a person with liver disease. A high ALT may mean a high degree of liver cell damage. However, ALT levels can also vary, and do not always reflect the degree of liver cell damage. A liver cell biopsy will give the most accurate information. The ALT enzyme is a more accurate marker of liver damage than the Ast enzyme. One goal of treatment for hepatitis C is a normal ALT level.

NAME

AST/SGOT (Aspartate Aminotransferase)

NORMAL RANGE

5-35 U/L

DEFINITION

This is an enzyme made in liver cells, similar to the ALT. It is also made in muscles, and can be released from damaged muscle, heart, kidney, and brain tissue. Therefore, the AST level can be affected by many conditions other than liver disease.

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

Elevated levels can mean liver damage. Often the AST and ALT levels will elevate at the same time.

 

(TRIG) TRIGLYCERIDES

NAME

Triglycerides

NORMAL RANGE

10-190 mg/dl

DEFINITION

These are fatty substances in the blood.

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

Triglyceride levels may become high during interferon treatment. Levels usually return to normal after treatment has stopped.

(CHOL) CHOLESTEROL

NAME

Cholesterol

NORMAL RANGE

100-240 mg/dl

DEFINITION

Cholesterol is synthesized in the liver. It helps to build hormones, vitamins and cell membranes.

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

High levels of cholesterol are associated with atherosclerosis and heart disease. Low levels are a marker of poor liver function.

 

AMYLASE AND LIPASE

How is it used?

The blood test for lipase is used to diagnose pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) and other pancreatic diseases. It is also used to a lesser extent in the diagnosis and follow-up of cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease.

 

When is it ordered?

A lipase test may be ordered if you show symptoms of a pancreatic disorder, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, loss of appetite, or nausea.

[

What does the test result mean?

Normal values for lipase depend on the test used to measure it. In pancreatitis, lipase levels are very high, often 2 to 5 times the normal amount. Slightly high lipase values may occur in other conditions such as kidney disease, salivary gland inflammation, or peptic ulcer disease. Occasionally lipase is high due to a tumor (cancer). The rapid and sharp rise of lipase in the blood within hours after the beginning of an attack, and the decline after about 4 days, usually indicate pancreatitis.

In most cases, test results are reported as numerical values rather than as "high" or "low", "positive" or "negative", or "normal". In these instances, it is necessary to know the reference range for the particular test. However, reference ranges may vary by the patient's age, sex, as well as the instrumentation or kit used to perform the test. To learn more about reference ranges, please see the article, Reference Ranges and What They Mean. To learn the reference range for your test, consult your doctor or laboratorian.

[Is there anything else I should know?

In acute pancreatitis, elevated lipase levels usually parallel levels of another enzyme called amylase.

Both lipase and amylase are usually ordered together to diagnose acute pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is often associated with alcoholism. It may also be caused by trauma; pancreatic duct obstruction; nutritional factors such as decreased vitamins A, D, and E; and genetic abnormalities.

Low lipase levels are often associated with diabetes. (If your body is unable to digest fat, this condition interferes with insulin metabolism and with insulin’s transport of glucose into the cells.)

Lipase-deficient people may also have high cholesterol and/or high blood triglycerides, high blood pressure, difficulty losing weight, and varicose veins. Drugs that may interfere with maintaining proper lipase levels include codeine, indomethacin, morphine, and drugs with a hydrochloric acid base

THS THYROID STIMULATION HORMONE

 

NAME

TSH (Thyroid Stimulation Hormone)

NORMAL RANGE

0.4-6.0 µIU/ml

DEFINITION

This hormone causes other thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) to be produced. Thyroid hormones help the body function, and metabolize foods.

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

High levels of TSH are associated with interferon treatment and hypothyroidism.


AFP

NAME

AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein)

NORMAL RANGE

0-8.9 ng/ml

DEFINITION

This is a protein that is often used as a tumor marker for liver cancer. AFP is not normally present in healthy adults, other than pregnant women.

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

High levels may mean active liver disease. This test is also used for detection of liver cancer  (hepatocellular cancer)..

 

PT

 

NAME

PT (Prothrombin Time)

NORMAL RANGE

9.8-13.8 seconds

DEFINITION

This is a measure of the time that it takes for your blood to clot. Prothrombin is a protein that is changed to thrombin during clotting.

EXPLANATION OF TEST
RESULT

High PT may mean advanced liver disease. It may also be high if you are taking coumadin (warfarin) for a heart condition, or if you have a vitamin K deficiency.

GENOTYPE

NAME

Genotype

DEFINITION

The genotype is a mixture of genes within a virus. Genotypes help determine the genetic character of the viruses, such as the hepatitis C virus. Currently, there are six known hepatitis C genotypes.

PCR HCV QUANT

NAME

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

DEFINITION

This is a test that can detect the hepatitis C virus. Examples of this test include the following:

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT(S)

  • Qualitative PCR: tests for presence of virus. Result is given as "positive" or "negative".

     

  • Quantitative PCR: tests for amount of virus (viral load). The viral loads are often expressed in international units so that the values obtained by different test methods can be compared. The result is given as an actual number (for example, number of virus particles per milliliter of blood).

HBsAB  (ab=antibodies) HBcAB   HBsAG

NAME

Anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody)

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

If this test is positive, you have antibodies against the hepatitis B virus. You are likely to be immune (or protected) against the hepatitis B virus.

 

 

NAME

Anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antibody)

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

If this test is positive, you have developed an antibody to the core of the virus and have been exposed to the hepatitis B virus. You may be currently infected, were infected and fought it off, have chronic infection or a false positive test.

 

NAME

HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen)

EXPLANATION
OF TEST
RESULT

If you test positive, you are currently infected with hepatitis B.

 

HAV [ Hepatits A virus]
HAVAb [Hepatitis A antibody]


ANA
Antibody produced by the body. Elevated in autoimmune hep. and other autoimmune disease (e.g., lupus)
ANA stands for Antinuclear Antibody. This literally means 'substance against the cell nucleus'. The nucleus is the 'headquarters' of the living cell, therefore the ANA can damage or destroy cells & tissues.

IRON FERRITIN TIBC

Blood Ferritin

Purpose of test:

  • Screens for iron deficiency and iron overload

  • Measures iron storage

  • Distinguishes between iron deficiency and chronic inflammation

Patient preparation:

  • None required

Time before test results are available:

  • Test requires only a few minutes in the laboratory. Time before results are reported to the doctor or patient varies from a few minutes to a few days.

Normal values:

According to the Mayo Medical Laboratories, ferritin levels range as follows:

  • Men--20 to 300ng/ml

  • Women--20 to 120ng/ml

  • Children 6 months to 15 years--7 to 140ng/ml

  • Children 1 month--200 to 600ng/ml

  • Newborns--25 to 200ng/ml

What "high" or "increased" may indicate:

  • Acute or chronic infection or inflammation

  • Chronic hemolytic anemia

  • Chronic kidney disease

  • Hodgkin's disease

  • Iron overload

  • Leukemia

  • Liver disease, acute or chronic

   
   

Myers Blood Work

I cleared the virus in my 4th week of treatment. They also took blood samples at the same weeks on the chart listed above. They were frozen, and then later they ran the PCR. I did not know the results until I was in my 8th month of treatment. I remained clear at my 6th month post PCR. I was taken off treatment in my 10th month of treatment.

I was in a study  for Rebetron (Interferon with Ribavarin). I was on a high dose for the first month. This was 5mu of interferon each day. With 5 Ribavarin pills daily. The next month they lowered the dose to 3mu with three injections a week, and still five Riba a day. I started treatment on  6-25-99, and finished in the month of March. I do not have my blood work for March.

Genotype is 2a Liver damage grade 2.

My chart is not as complete as the one we have here on the site. I did not get all the results from tests such as my Thyroid, along with others . I do have the month my thyroid began to give me trouble.        Still, here is what I have to show you.

Normal Values

 6- 43

 11-36

 12.7 -    18.1

130-394

1.96-7.23

4.4-10.1

 

 

 

Date

  ALT

 AST